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How I Get to Wake Up Next to My Wife and My Friend Joy

For the past few mornings my wife has allowed me to wake up next to her and my friend Joy. Although my wife doesn’t really know Joy, she has no problems with our relationship. In fact, I would say she wants me to get to know Joy even more. My hope is they develop a strong friendship themselves. This would make my life, my wife’s life, and our family life better.

The early riser that used to be

I use to wake up early. I would wake up faithfully everyday at 4:30am, and be at the gym sweating by 5am. At the time, I was working at a local fitness center. When I left that job I slowly, but surely, destroyed that good habit of rising early.

Of course the habit didn’t just go away, it was replaced by a new habit. The habit of sleeping in, which I say is the cousin of being lazy. Since then I have been in a viscous cycle of trying to get back to waking up early Doing it for a little while, only to fail miserably while growing increasingly frustrated.

Have you found yourself in a cycle similar? Does it even matter if you wake up early or late?

What happens when you wake up early

I recently confessed to stealing from my wife and kids. One of the main reasons this happened was I was always short on time, or running behind due to not rising early. When you wake up early, you get a head start on the day. You can accomplish a lot before your family, or anybody else wakes up.

Rising early is the surest way to get more time out of each day. The early morning is also the most peaceful. It is the best time to clear your mind, and fill your mind with scripture, encouraging books, or inspiring music. Something to point your mind, body, and emotion in the direction of your ideal day.

Want success? Do what successful people do

One thing I have noticed over time, is many successful people wake up early. Three of the most successful entrepreneurs I know personally are early risers. The stories I’ve read about various leaders and influential people have revealed they habitually wake up early. There is a connection. Although I believed it, and wanted it, I struggled. Until recently.

Successful people who wake up early

I’ve been reading a lot lately. And it just so happens that some of the authors of the books I am reading wake up early. Andy Traub actually wrote an entire book on it called, “Early to Rise,” which earned him $20,000+ in less than 90 days.

In his book he encourages you to become friends with your alarm clock. Your alarm will be vital if you want to become an early riser. He even suggests naming your alarm clock. He calls his clock “Fred.” Hmm, yes, Fred.

Jon Acuff in his books, “Quitter,” and “Start.” discusses “being selfish at 5am” to work on your dream. He suggests doing something you enjoy doing, something you love, something you are passionate about. This habit has helped Jon become a New York Times Best Selling Author.

How Joy fits in the picture

I was desperate. I understood the need to wake up early. I knew each day, each week…my entire life would be different if I could go back to rising early. I would accomplish more, I’d be more refreshed, I’d have more time to spend on my dream, thus eliminating me stealing from my family.

But I do know what I do want to wake up to in the morning. Joy. I can wake up to Joy in the morning. After all, as a Bible reader, I know that “joy comes in the morning.” So, my alarm clock is no longer my enemy, but my friend Joy. And my wife likes the fact I wake up next to her and Joy. As Jon Acuff says,

“Joy is an incredible alarm clock”

Do you want Joy greeting you each morning?

I am embracing my early mornings, and making changes. I want joy in the morning.

Early mornings, nor your alarm are your enemies. I encourage you to change your mindset. Embrace waking up early too. When you do joy will be waiting on you each morning.

Question: What time do you wake up each morning? How do you think waking up early can change your life? Please share in the comment section below.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I normally get up at 5 am. This week however, i’ve started training my summer staff for the camp I run. I’m not getting in bed until after 11pm…so I’ve moved my wake up time to 6. I need 7 hours of sleep, or as close to it as I can get. Once staff training is over, I should be able to get back on routine of bed at 10 rise at 5.

I’ve been an early riser for 6 months. I’ve accomplished more in six months then in the previous year, hands down.

Inspiring post. Good luck with Andy’s challenge. He is a great guy and wrote a fantastic book.

http://www.jackiebledsoe.com/ jbledsoejr

Thanks Eric! Early rising is amazing…I hope to share something similar to your results in the next 6 months.

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About Me

I am a follower of Christ, a husband, and a dad who writes and speaks about Family Leadership.

What is Family Leadership? It's the thing we husbands and dads do, but sometimes feel we don't have enough time, enough skills, or enough inspiration to do it as well as we hope.

My writing and speaking helps motivated but overwhelmed husbands and dads, just like me, learn how to lead and love their families, so they can have lasting, fulfilling marriages and meaningful influence with their kids.